37 Writing Plays

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275
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Writing Plays

Start-Up Activity

Organize students into small groups. Ask each group of students to choose a scene from a familiar book, television show, or movie and prepare a script of the scene to share with the class. Students can be creative in the way they present the dialogue. Then have each group perform their script. Use these performances as a starting point for a discussion of playwriting.

Think About It

“First, find out what your hero wants. Then just follow him.”  

—Ray Bradbury

Page 276 from Writers Express

Sample Play: Act 1

Ask for volunteers to read the three roles in the sample play. Then have the volunteers play the roles in front of the class by reading the sample script. (To enhance the experience, allow them to get out of their seats and act out the scene.) 

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Page 277 from Writers Express

Writing a Play

Review the main parts needed to plan a play. Have students gather ideas for their own plays using a collection sheet. (Download and distribute the playwriting collection sheet.)

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Page 278 from Writers Express

Writing: Developing the First Draft

Lead students through the steps of writing a play. Recommend that students mimic the formatting of the sample on page 276:

  • Title: Center the title in bold at the top of the script.
  • Characters: List and briefly describe characters.
  • Act/Scene: Use headings to note the parts of the script.
  • Stage Direction: Put actions in parentheses.
  • Dialogue: Write the character name followed by a colon and then what the character says.
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Page 279 from Writers Express

Revising and Editing

Examine the tips for revising plays. One way your students can improve their dialogue is to read their plays out loud with a partner. The partner should listen carefully for any dialogue that sounds fake or out of character. Then the partners can brainstorm ways to make the characters sound realistic.

When students have finished revising their plays, have them use an editing checklist to create clean final drafts. 

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Page 280 from Writers Express

Sample Play: Act 2

Ask for new volunteers to play the roles in Act 2 of the sample play. Then have them act out their roles. 

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